Source: REUTERS/IVAN ALVARADO
[Saba Sports News] Earlier this year, media outlets reported that the Japan Badminton Federation was grappling with financial woes. As funds dried up, the organization racked up a two-year deficit of 300 million yen. Following the Paris Olympics, the federation plans to reduce the number of players participating in overseas tournaments. As June approaches, the federation’s financial strain has yet to ease. The Japanese Olympic Committee’s budget cuts have now impacted the Japan Badminton Association’s preparation plans, resulting in a shortened pre-Olympic training camp. In an interview in Tokyo yesterday, Japan’s national badminton coach Park Joo Bong revealed that only women’s singles player Yamaguchi Akane and mixed doubles pair Watanabe Yuta and Higashino Arisa currently stand a chance at medal contention. Other Japanese players are not considered medal contenders. During the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, the federation held high hopes for gold medals in all five badminton events. However, the team only managed to secure one bronze medal in the mixed doubles, leading the Japanese Olympic Committee to scale back its investment and support for badminton. Currently, the Japan Badminton Federation faces dire straits. Some fans have expressed concerns that, given the federation’s cancellation of intensive training before the Asian Championships in April and its overseas training plan in May, Japanese badminton players may struggle to achieve notable results at the Paris Olympics.